Gambling Decline: Fewer Americans Participate in Wagering Activities

The gambling landscape is undergoing a massive transformation, as evidenced by new data from the United States. While for years it was assumed that the industry would grow unstoppably, a current survey by the Gallup opinion research institute paints a very different picture. Interest among US citizens in traditional betting and casino visits appears to be noticeably waning. This decline affects almost all areas, from horse racing to slot machines, raising questions about the future of the entertainment industry. Interestingly, this is happening at a time when digital offerings are more technically sophisticated than ever before.

Particularly striking is the discrepancy between the availability of gambling offers and actual usage. Although more and more US states are legalizing sports betting and online casinos, the number of active participants in the general population is falling. This could indicate that market potential is saturated or that alternative forms of entertainment, such as video games or social media, are taking the place of traditional gambling. At the same time, new players such as prediction markets are moving into focus, which, although they want to distance themselves legally from gambling, use similar mechanisms and are now coming under massive pressure from the judiciary.

Numbers and facts

The statistical details of the Gallup survey, which was conducted among 1,200 people from July 1 to 19, 2026, are clear. Only 45 percent of the adults surveyed said they had taken part in at least one form of gambling in the past year. This is a drastic drop compared to the values of about ten years ago, when the rate was still 64 percent. Even in 2007, long before the mobile sports betting boom, the value was significantly higher at 63 percent. The margin of error for the current study is given as 4 percentage points.

Among the preferred activities, the purchase of state lottery tickets ranks first, but here only 31 percent of participants said they had purchased a ticket in the last twelve months. This is consistent with other observations that about half of Americans are lottery players, but this value is declining compared to the late 1990s (57 percent). Only 14 percent of those surveyed visited a casino in the last year, and only 7 percent placed bets on professional sporting events. Interestingly, a fact check shows that in other regions like Russia, the rejection is even more extreme, where 94 percent of citizens state they do not play at all.

Background

A central focus of conflict in the current debate is so-called prediction markets like Kalshi or Polymarket. These platforms allow users to bet money on the outcome of events ranging from political elections to armed conflicts. The operators claim that these are financial instruments that fall under the supervision of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), rather than gambling in the traditional sense. However, resistance from the authorities is growing.

The state of New York recently filed a lawsuit against Kalshi. The allegation is serious: the company is said to be operating an illegal gambling business in defiance of state laws, without having a corresponding license from the state gaming commission. According to the indictment, the company is thus also evading the corresponding tax payments intended for public services. Governor Kathy Hochul found clear words on the need for state control.

„Kalshi has chosen to ignore New York’s gaming laws, which exist to protect consumers, prevent problematic gambling, deliver funding for critical public services, and ensure that every company plays by the same rules.“ - Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York

Why it matters for German players

For players in Germany, this development from the USA is an important reminder of the importance of strong regulation. Since the entry into force of the Interstate Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV 2021) in July 2021, there have been clear rules in this country intended to prevent such gray areas as are currently being discussed in the US prediction markets. Anyone who wants to play safely in Germany must ensure that the provider is on the so-called whitelist of the Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL). Only these providers guarantee compliance with strict player protection requirements.

In Germany, strict limits apply to protect against gambling addiction, which are often missing in the USA. The monthly deposit limit of 1,000 euros across all providers is monitored by the central LUGAS system. In addition, a stake limit of 1 euro per game round applies to virtual slot machines. While in the USA there is now a dispute over the taxation and licensing of prediction markets, the German market already offers a stable framework through GGL supervision. Players should consistently avoid offers without a German license, as they enjoy no legal protection there and have no access to the OASIS lockout system.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For German casinos with a GGL license, the US figures illustrate that competition for customer attention is becoming tougher. The decline in active players in the USA could be a harbinger of a similar market saturation in Europe. GGL-licensed providers must therefore focus increasingly on quality and responsible gaming to build long-term trust. Illegal offers from the Caribbean or the MGA (Malta), which often advertise higher wagering possibilities, remain a risk, but legal prosecution by the GGL is increasing.

The lawsuit in New York shows that authorities worldwide are less willing to tolerate circumvention strategies. German providers who strictly adhere to the rules benefit from this global tendency towards stricter supervision. They can position themselves as a serious alternative in an environment where consumers increasingly value security and legality instead of risking their money in unregulated gray markets.